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Fracking Optimization and In-Situ Characterization of Rock and Other Materials Permeability, Chemistry and Fracture Distributions


EMSL Project ID
48172

Abstract

Through this proposal EMSL will provide experimental resources for enhanced energy production and subsurface science discovery that supports the needs of DOE and the nation. These proposed investigations will support the development of novel fracturing methods for geothermal energy production reservoir creation. This project is aligned with the Geochemistry/Biogeochemistry and Subsurface Science EMSL Science Theme in advancing our understanding of the hydraulic, mechanical, and geochemical controls on rock fracturing. There is an urgent need to both understand fracking processes (e.g., geochemistry, hydraulics, and geomechanics) and impacts (e.g., induced seismicity) within various subsurface conditions and applications (e.g., enhanced hydrocarbon production, carbon sequestration, and geothermal energy production). The proposed research examines fracturing processes under geothermal conditions to establish geothermal energy as an economically competitive contributor to the U.S. energy supply (DOE-EERE), which supports clean energy technologies that strengthen the economy, protect the environment, and reduce dependence on foreign oil.

Project Details

Start Date
2015-11-19
End Date
2016-09-30
Status
Closed

Team

Principal Investigator

Carlos Fernandez
Institution
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Co-Investigator(s)

David Heldebrant
Institution
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Team Members

Alain HR Bonneville
Institution
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Eric Walter
Institution
Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory

David Hoyt
Institution
Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory

Charles Werth
Institution
University of Texas at Austin

Mart Oostrom
Institution
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Related Publications

Childers MI, MC Endres, CA Burns, BJ Garcia, J Liu, TW Wietsma, AH Bonneville, J Moore, II Leavy, L Zhong, HT Schaef, L Fu, H Wang, and CA Fernandez. 2017. "Novel Highly Dispersible, Thermally Stable Core/Shell Proppants for Geothermal Applications." Geothermics 70:98-109. doi:10.1016/j.geothermics.2017.05.013